After 30+ years in this business you'd think we'd be able to phone it in by now. But every November we experience the same old anxieties as we near the holiday season: "Will we be able to deliver all our commercial orders on time?" (None missed.) "Will the weather cooperate to keep our greens at just the right temperature?" (It's Michigan, what can you expect?) "Should we have done any advertising this year?" (One of these days...) "Should we have put together a Facebook page?" (We hate Facebook, whatever it is.) "Should we at least have a better sign? And of course, do people even know what a 'Greenery' is?" (At this point, I think we're just stuck with that name.)

So it's with relief and amazement when, somehow, over a thousand visitors find their way to our little corner of Emmet County. Many are now old friends, who know just where their tree is stashed, and whose ribbon preferences we know intimately. Still others are new-timers, who are brought to us either by curiosity ("what's a 'Greenery'?"), serendipity or persistence (Google Maps can be tricky). We get locals from around the corner, and visitors from around the country (again, Google Maps can be tricky).

The Goslin's Greenery team enjoys seeing who comes down our drive, chatting them up, and taking the pulse of our community. We always strive to be honest and polite, though when push comes to shove we'll always prioritize honesty over false politeness. If we occasionally come across as prickly -- well, that just comes from spending a lot of time handling blue spruce (that's the prickly tree, for all you fir-heads out there). It goes without saying that we're passionate about what we do, and that we love being part of this community. After all, there are easier ways to make a buck. But once you've got pine resin on your hands, it's tough to get off.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you from the team here at GG! Let's hope that 2018 is even better and brighter.